William Wallace Sopko

William W. Sopko, 55, of Buck Hill Falls, died on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at his home. He was the loving husband of Leslie (Dufau) Sopko.

Born Oct. 15, 1957 in East Stroudsburg, he was the son of the late George and Mary (Andrew) Sopko.

Bill was a graduate of Pocono Mountain High School and was Pocono Mountain's first regional wrestling champion. Bill received his Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism at Florida International University, where he attended on a wrestling scholarship as a NCAA Academic All American. His passion for the sport continued throughout his life.

Bill owned and operated Landmasters Landscaping. He received numerous awards recognizing excellence in design and construction, including the Pocono Builders Association (Best Landscape 2000-2012) and the Pocono Mountain Chamber of Commerce (Best Overall Landscape 2000). Bill's professional success was fueled by a lifelong love for natural beauty.

Bill sponsored and coached the baseball teams of not only his three sons but also numerous generations of boys, spanning 15 years. He helped organize a weekly basketball league for all ages at Barrett Elementary School.

He is a founding member of the Red Rock Anglers Club, a local fly fishing group that travels the country fishing, from Buck Hill to Belize. Currently, Bill is the proud holder of "The Buckle." Bill was a longtime member of the Buck Hill Falls Golf Club and always participated in the Member-Guest Tournament.

Those that are fortunate to have known Bill know that his love has no limits, matched only by his rousing sense of humor. Bill organized the Sopko Family Reunions since 1977, which brought him great joy. Bill was an active member of St. Bernadette's Parish and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Bill lives on in the hearts of his wife, his three sons and his remaining family: Adam of Washington, D.C.; Austin of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Alexander of Buck Hill Falls; brother, George Ian Sopko of Buck Hill Falls; sister, Ailsa Mary Tessier of Raleigh, N.C. He is preceded in death by his sister, Janet Sopko Stark.

There will be a visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, at Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, at St. Bernadette's Church, Route 390, Canadensis.

In lieu of flowers and other memorial gifts, the Sopko family requests that any memorial donations be made to the fund, which Adam Sopko has created for the educational expenses of his two younger brothers, Austin, 18 and Alexander, 14. Memorial donations may be made to: Sopko Boys Education Fund, Honesdale National Bank, PO Box 350, Honesdale, PA 18434.